I have no two way communications. Will do HAM at some point, in the mean time want to get a CB unit for trail communication, etc. Is a hand held irrelevant?

I would prefer NOT to have something obvious that some clown will break a window to liberate from me.

Any suggestions, and where locally (Snoho Co) should I buy?

If someone got a FRS/GMRS hybrid handheld unit would they be able to keep in touch with most of you guys on the trail?  Assuming I get myself onto a trail....

JK

Jason,

Unfortunately yes. Although many people have HAM I've never been on a trip where everyone has one. So, we go with the lousy FRS/GMRS radios. The FRS radios come in pairs, so everyone has their own plus an extra to loan to the guy who doesn't have one.

When we use FRS, even with small groups, we regularly have to have people in the middle of the herd relay messages to the guys in the back. But, yes, if you have an FRS radio you can probably stay in touch with the rest of the group.

Craig

I bought my van in February and began modifying it and my first trip was to Owyhee River Canyon with Jerry and PNBA. A CB was a requirement, so I purchased a Midland micro mobile 75-822.  They really do need an external antenna, as the small antenna that comes with it doesn't work for anything further than 10 ft. away. . I got a magnetic one.  With that, the radio has worked very well.  Since I've had the fiberglass pop top, I have installed a fender mounted antenna, and it worked well with Morris and Paul on the Olympic trip.  

We bought the FMS radios years ago and one of the two is about done (stick a fork in it)  The other works well, as used on the Perseids trip.  My only problem with the FMS radio is that I never seem to set it down in the same place twice, so when somebody calls me while I'm night driving a trail behind Craig and I'm trying to video with my free hand, all the sudden I'm looking all over for the radio too!

Cool- HAM is really the best solution and will be a project for the non-sunny-not-wanna-go-outside-crying part of the year. I guess I'll have to pick up a cheap frs at somepoint- any benefit in FRS/GMRS, are they more powerful?

Tom- that Midland is the one I was thinking of along with the Cobra 75- may just come down to cost as it sounds like the antenna may be the real factor on performance. Any suggestions on antennas that survive the tree canopies best?

Whatever radio you get, pay attention to the antenna setup. A properly mounted and tuned external antenna will greatly improve your receive and  transmit distance and clarity. With a CB you don't have the Watts that a HAM does to overcome a lousy antenna setup so you have to make the most of it.

I shouldn't talk right Morris, Tom? On this last trip, I could hear them fine but when I keyed the mic, they could barely hear me through the background static. Sorry guys.   I must agree with Tom, just grabbing the mic from the hook on the dash was much nicer than fumbling around looking for the handheld radio. Ahem, my HAM is a handheld but I will be ordering the remote mic soon.

While a decent used CB can be had for $25 the antenna could be $50. That would be worth it in my opinion though.

BTW, does anyone have a SWR meter?

Whatever radio you get, pay attention to the antenna setup. A properly mounted and tuned external antenna will greatly improve your receive and  transmit distance and clarity. With a CB you don't have the Watts that a HAM does to overcome a lousy antenna setup so you have to make the most of it.

I shouldn't talk right Morris, Tom? On this last trip, I could hear them fine but when I keyed the mic, they could barely hear me through the background static. Sorry guys.   I must agree with Tom, just grabbing the mic from the hook on the dash was much nicer than fumbling around looking for the handheld radio. Ahem, my HAM is a handheld but I will be ordering the remote mic soon.

While a decent used CB can be had for $25 the antenna could be $50. That would be worth it in my opinion though.

BTW, does anyone have a SWR meter?

That could be a good tech session- dialing in antennas...

As an FYI... if you are having trouble location your FRS radio in the cab, you can purchase a remote microphone or headset for it.

http://dogbytecomputer.com/product_1030_Motorola_53724_Remote_Speaker_Microphone.html

Ergonomics should be a non-factor in a radio purchase as HAM, CB, and FRS can all be configured with external speakers, microphones, headsets, chargers, etc.  The only real decision points are:

- Can I talk to the other people on the trail

- How well does the technology work

Craig

Larry... are you on our list of Amateur radio operators?  I like to keep it current so I can print out the call-sign list before a trip.

C

Craig-

I'm assuming my T5500 handhelds will work.  I've recently acquired my GMRS license and now need some accessories for the truck. 

My issue with HAM is price.  Are there any "budget" HAM radios out there? 

JK